[Incidence and consequences of nosocomial infections in a geriatric short-stay department].
OBJECTIVE
Although large epidemiological studies have demonstrated that elderly people experience a greater incidence and mortality attributable to nosocomial infections, few studies have yet focused on this problem in geriatrics.


METHODS
In order to assess the importance of nosocomial infections in geriatric short-stay department, we carried out a prospective study during a one-year period.


RESULTS
Eighty-two nosocomial infections were recorded in 67 patients. The incidence was 10.3 nosocomial infections per 1000 patient-days. Pneumonia was the second most frequent type of nosocomial infection after urinary tract infections, but caused the highest rate of death. For infected patients, hospital stay was twice as long (31 versus 13 days) and mortality four times higher (26.9 versus 8.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm that elderly patients make up a high-risk population and that the prevention of nosocomial infections must be a priority in geriatrics.
Puisieux
F
F
Service de Médecine interne et Gériatrie, Hôpital gériatrique les Bateliers, CHRU Lille.
Defrennes
R
R
Salomez-Granier
F
F
Dewailly
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005853:Geriatrics; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
Incidence et conséquences des infections nosocomiales dans un service de court séjour gériatrique.